County Moves Up Abortion Start Day

September 15, 1992|By Jean Latz Griffin.

Cook County Hospital will begin providing abortions on Wednesday, a day earlier than previously scheduled, county officials announced Tuesday. In response to the change in date, abortion protestors immediately moved up their schedule of activities.

Robert Zeiner, head of the National Rosaries for Peace and Life, based in California, said his group would hold a prayer at 3 p.m. Tuesday on the grassy strip across Harrison Street from the hospital.

``This will be our opening spiritual offensive,`` said Zeiner, who said his group will also hold a 24-hour prayer vigil starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

That vigil is likely to draw anti-abortion activists from across the nation, and could be the first event of several that will make Chicago the new focus of the emotional national debate over abortion.

Anti-abortion forces led by the Pro-Life Action League also said they intend to file a suit in Cook County Circuit Court to try to block the resumption of abortions, said Tommie Romano, the league`s assistant director. More than 500 women called to inquire about abortions before the hospital stopped taking calls on Monday, said Pam Smith, press secretary to Cook County Board President Richard Phelan.

The hospital will provide 10 abortions a day, 3 days a week. Women must live in Cook County, will be asked to pay what they can towards the cost of the abortion, will only be allowed one abortion per year and then, only in the first trimester, except in medical emergencies.

Women will be counseled about alternatives to abortion, and will be given a list of local groups that offer help to women who wish to continue their pregnancies, Smith said.

In June, Phelan ordered abortions to begin at the end of July. He was sued by several county commissioners who challenged his authority to order the resumptions of abortions without their approval. The commissioners` lawsuit was defeated at the Circuit Court level and an appeal is to be heard by the Illinois Appellate Court next month.